The elder Americans who have been active in the protests at the Town Halls may have another reason to feel uneasy about ObamaAmerica. It could become another rallying point to oust Democrats in the coming 2010 elections and even carry over to 2012.

For the first time since 1975, elderly Americans will not receive a cost of living adjustment (COLA) for the next two years. Meanwhile Medicare premiums are scheduled to rise.

This may be overlooked by many younger Americans unless they have an elderly relative or friend who depends on Social Security to pay for the roof over their heads or put food on the table.

The reason is said to be that cost of living adjustments are pegged to inflation based on energy prices that are below the 2008 level. However, many of their expenses have increased because of how much money they spend on health care in which costs have risen higher than inflation.

Barbara Kennedy, who heads the National Committee to Preserve Social Security said

I will promise you, they count on that COLA....To come people it might not be a big deal. But to seniors, especially those with their health care costs, it is a big deal.

Many elders rely entirely on Social Security and see that regardless of what the government says about "no inflation", their assets continue to shrink while every else they require increases in price. Even those who had some savings or investments have seen serious losses. The average benefit for retires is $1,153 a month and $13,836 a year minus the close to $100 a month for Medicare insurance premiums. Many elders are already living on the edge of poverty.
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-2547-Watchdog-Politics-Examiner~y2009m8d23-ObamaAmerica-and-Democrats-to-create-more-protest-among-elders